Lavender oil

Lavender oilis anessential oilobtained bydistillationfrom the flower spikes of certain species oflavender.‍‍‍‍‍‍​​​‍​​​​​​ It is commonly used inaromatherapy,perfumery, and as aflavoringorfragranceinconsumer products. A standardized oral preparation known asSilexanis also used for the treatment ofanxiety disorders. There are over 400 types of lavender worldwide with different scents and qualities. Two forms of lavender oil are distinguished,lavender flower oil, a colorless oil, insoluble in water, having a density of 0.885 g/mL; andlavender spike oil, a distillate from the herbLavandula latifolia, having a density of 0.905 g/mL. Like all essential oils, it is not a purecompound; it is a complex mixture ofphytochemicals, includinglinaloolandlinalyl acetate. Lavender oil has been used in perfumes,aromatherapy,massagetherapy, and topical skin applications, though these uses lack strongclinical evidenceof effectiveness. It may cause allergic reactions in massage therapy. Silexan is approved in Germany foranxiety-related restlessness and has shown some clinical effectiveness in reducing anxiety symptoms, though its overall efficacy remains debated. Althoughgenerally recognized as safe, lavender oil may act as anendocrine disruptor, is toxic if ingested, especially for children, and can causepoisoningsymptoms,skin irritation, anddrug interactions. Historically, spike lavender oil was used as asolventinoil paintingbeforeturpentinebecame common. Lavender oil is primarily produced throughsteam distillationof harvested lavender blooms—typically between late June and August—with leading global producers including Bulgaria, France, and China. Lavender oil is among the most commonlyadulteratedessential oils.